LG’s Optimus One family of affordable and successful Android smartphones gained its newest member Monday morning as MetroPCS announced the upcoming availability of the LG Optimus M. When it launches later this month, the Optimus M will be MetroPCS’ first Android smartphone. As with all MetroPCS offerings, customers will not be required to sign a contract when they purchase the Optimus M, and plans start at $50 per month for unlimited calling, SMS, MMS, email, Web browsing, GPS navigation and more. The Optimus M features a 3.2-inch touchscreen, a 3.2-megapixel camera, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Android 2.2 and a “high-end champagne finish.” It will be available on November 24th for $229. Hit the break for the full press release. More →

LG announced Tuesday that sales of its entry level Optimus One smartphone hit 1 million units within the first 40 days of availability. The LG Optimus One is an affordable smartphone powered by version 2.2 of Google’s popular Android operating system. With the device, LG shows us once again that there is still very high demand for capable devices that are also affordable. While the bulk of sales likely fell outside of the U.S., the Optimus One is currently available from Sprint, branded as the Optimus S, and T-Mobile, branded as the Optimus T. Verizon Wireless will soon become the third major U.S. carrier to launch the device, branded as the Vortex, on November 18th. LG’s Optimus One features a 3.2-inch HVGA touchscreen display, a 600MHz processor, a 3-megapixel camera, HSDPA, Wi-Fi, GPS and microSDHC support. More →

As Verizon Wireless continues to expand its Android lineup beyond DROID-branded devices, we’re seeing some nice inexpensive options from Big Red… and it doesn’t get any less expensive than free. We’ve known for some time that the LG Vortex — a CDMA version of the T-Mobile Optimus T — was on its way to to Verizon. Now, we have official confirmation of the Vortex’s imminent launch thanks to an appearance on the Verizon website above a “coming soon” label. What’s more, Engadget Mobile reports that the upcoming smartphone will be available for free on contract. It’s not clear if this is just promotional pricing for the holidays or if the Vortex will be free for good, but it’s definitely a solid deal on a perfectly capable Android Phone. The LG Vortex is an entry-level Android 2.2 device with a 600MHz processor, a 3.2-megapixel camera and a 320 x 480-pixel touchscreen display.

T-Mobile finally put a price tag and a release date on its upcoming LG Optimus T — the budget smartphone will be available on Wednesday, November 3rd, for $29.99 with a new 2-year contract. Featuring a 3.2-inch touchscreen display, a 3-megapixel camera and the Android 2.2 (FroYo) operating system, the Optimus T is a fairly solid buy for smartphone newcomers looking for a simple point of entry. Then again, third-party distributors such as Amazon.com typically offer a variety of more capable Android handsets for free, making the rationale behind a $30 Optimus T slightly less convincing. Those still interested, however, can hit the jump for T-Mobile’s full announcement.

It looks like TMoNews has gotten there mitts on — what appears to be anyway — an accessories guide for U.S. carrier T-Mobile. What sets this list apart from others is that it details the availability of accessories for several unreleased, and even a few unknown, handsets. First and foremost, the sheet lists several cases for the HTC HD7 — a Windows Phone 7 device — as November 1. Want more? How about accessories for the LG Optimus T for November 1, Dell Claire for November 15, BlackBerry Bold 9780 for November 15, and Motorola Begonia for November 1. A phone simply referred to as the “Comet” is also listed with the date of November 1; no manufacturer is listed.

We have a pretty good idea of what the HD7, Optiums T, and Bold 9780 will look like. The Begonia, Comet, and Claire, however, are all new discoveries.

It is important to keep in mind that these are not handset launch dates, but rather dates that accessories will be available; TMoNews doesn’t specify whether that availability is to stores or warehouses or what. Regardless, if accessories are being made, the handsets have to be put into the wild soon. Anything on this laundry list enticing? More →